Dear Hoping to Take a Leap: Speaking from personal experience, I had mixed feelings about leaving private practice to go in-house in 2009. While I was excited about new opportunities and (with a then toddler and a preschooler at home) the promise of a better work life balance, I felt I was giving up on private practice and the traditional path towards partnership. Like many, I think I had a healthy dose of impostor syndrome in not fully recognizing my value as a lawyer beyond billable hours and attracting new clients.

As women in law supporting women in law, we understand first-hand the strength of a collective of women and how beneficial it is for us to come together and support each other. Black Women Connect Vancouver came to our attention as one of the few organizations that provides that same sense of community for black women in Vancouver. This amazing collective empowers black women across the lower mainland by providing connection, support, and resources to help them feel united and strong. We encourage you to learn more about them by visiting their website here.

“My one piece of advice to up and coming lawyers is to learn how to prioritize. One of the most important skills successful lawyers have is being able to plan ahead for what needs to be accomplished and how to make it happen. This is applicable not only to your job, but also making time for things that are important to you outside of the office. 

We are thrilled to announce that Life in Law is the recipient of a Platinum Hermes Creative Award in the Website Creative/Website Design category.

Dear Concerned: Thanks for your follow up query about handling/choosing child care arrangements after maternity leave in light of the current health pandemic. Covid-19; what unprecedented times we are now living in. Regardless of the nanny versus child care route you may have chosen, to satisfy yourself that your child is safe it is important to have the lines of communication open with the caregiver, and to also critically assess how you can reasonably, and within your means, help minimize the chances of you and your child contracting COVID-19. Also, communicating your concerns with your child’s family physician is invaluable here. My understanding is that children are more likely to recover from the virus than others – but this is a medical opinion that needs input and discussion with a qualified health care practitioner.